Heathrow is the busiest international airport in the world, handling 58 million passengers on more than 420,000 flights a year, with over 95 airlines flying to more than 185 destinations worldwide.

Heathrow airport is situated 15 miles west of central London. It has four terminals and two main runways.

For general enquiries, please contact the Heathrow switchboard on +44(181) 759 4321

How to get to Heathrow

There are many ways of reaching Heathrow including a wide network of coach services and local buses, London Underground and the new Heathrow Express.

Heathrow's passenger terminals are grouped into two main areas. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are in the Central Terminal Area; Terminal 4 is located on the southside of the airport. A frequent courtesy bus runs between each of the central area terminals and Terminal 4. Pedestrian subways link the three central terminals.

Public transport

BAA Heathrow is investing in public transport to encourage passengers and staff to leave their cars at home for journeys to and from the airport. The "Freeflow Heathrow" campaign is highlighting the extensive range of public transport alternatives already available to airport users. For further details about the different options, please select the appropriate box at the bottom of this page.

To and from London

Heathrow Express

Slicing journey time to just 15 minutes, BAA's Heathrow Express opened in June 1998. The train offers a non-stop rail link running every 15 minutes between London's Paddington Station and the dedicated station at Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and a further 5-6 minutes extra journey time into the dedicated station at Terminal 4. The service operates from 05.10 to 23.40 daily. The Heathrow Express trains are purpose built and feature airline-style service and high-quality interiors, a spacious area for wheelchair users, payphone and TV monitors with travel information.

For further information visit the Heathrow Express website or call the Customer Care Line on 0845 600 15 15.

London Underground

Heathrow is served by the Piccadilly Line of the London Underground. There is one station for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 which is accessed from the terminal buildings via the pedestrian subway system, and a separate one for Terminal 4 which is accessed directly from within the building.

An average journey to central London takes approximately 50-60 minutes. Trains run every five minutes at peak times and every nine minutes at off-peak times and at weekends.

The first train to London leaves Heathrow Terminal 4 at 0508 (0558 on Sundays) and the last a 2349 (2257 on Sundays). The first train from central London arrives at Terminal 4 at 0600 (0747 Sundays) and the last at 0107 (0008 Sundays). It takes a further five minutes to reach the Terminals 1, 2 and 3 station. As these times are subject to change it is advisable to check with London Transport before travelling. During the night, the N97 night bus connects Heathrow with central London every 30 minutes.

The current cost of a single tube ticket into central London is £3.30. Off peak discount one day Travelcards are also available.

There are London Transport travel information desks in the Arrivals concourses of all four terminals.

For further information on travel by London Underground phone 020 7 222 1234.

Airbus

Heathrow is served by Airbus Express and Airbus Direct, providing limited stop services via West End hotels into central London. The A1 Express serves Victoria via Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge and Hyde Park Corner. The A2 Express serves King's Cross via Bayswater, Marble Arch, Euston and Russell Square. Both services operate to and from the forecourts of Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 and each runs at 30 minute intervals - journey time is about an hour. Vehicles are air conditioned, have plenty of luggage space and wheelchair access is available.

Fares are £6 adult single, £10 return, with discounts for children.

In addition to these services, Airbus Direct provides frequent services to many other hotels in central London. These also operate from the terminal forecourts. For further information on Airbus Express and Airbus Direct, call 020 8 400 6655.

Taxi

The famous London black cabs are licensed under, and regulated by the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act to operate within the Greater London Metropolitan Area. BAA Heathrow operates a computer system that controls the flow of cabs from a large holding area on the airport to the terminal forecourts to ensure that the supply of cabs meets customer demand.

Taxi ranks are located outside each terminal. Many taxis are accessible to wheelchairs; on arrival at the rank, contact the local traffic warden who will ensure that a suitable vehicle is available.

London Gatwick is 45kms (28 miles) south of London, directly linked to the M23 motorway at junction 9 and to the A23 London-Brighton Road.

How to get to London from Gatwick:

Rail:

The London Gatwick rail station is linked to South Terminal and the station exit leads onto the check-in concourse.

If you are heading for North Terminal, please follow the signs from the station platforms and take the transit.

The station manager can arrange for staff to assist you on arrival. For further advice, please telephone:

National Rail Enquiries 0345 484950 (local call rates apply)

Disabled persons rail travel 01293 524167

GATWICK EXPRESS

London Victoria Station. Every 15 minutes during the day, 30 minutes early morning and late evening, half hourly at night.

Journey time: 30 minutes non-stop.

Recorded timetable 0990 30 15 30

NETWORK SOUTH-CENTRAL

London Victoria station. Typically four trains an hour during the day, hourly service at night. Typical journey time: 33 minutes during the day, 40 minutes at night.

THAMESLINK

Trains to five London stations: Kings Cross Thameslink, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars and London Bridge. Four trains an hour during the day, hourly services late evening. Journey time to London Bridge: 30 minutes.

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SERVICES

Details of Network South Central, South Eastern and Thameslink services between London Gatwick and Sussex, Surrey, South London and throughout the South East, are available from your local rail station, or by telephoning:

London 0207 928 5100

Brighton 01273 206755*

Tonbridge 01732 770111

Buses and Coaches:

All coach services stop at London Gatwick’s coach station on the ground floor of South Terminal. Principal services also call at North Terminal. Passengers arriving at South Terminal, but requiring North Terminal, should take the transit.

Speedlink Airport Services Ltd operates the coach and bus information desks in both terminals and in the Coach Station.

Bus + Coach travel line - 0990 747777 (0800 - 2000 hrs)

LONDON CHECK-IN

Passengers flying with the following airlines may check in baggage at the airline offices at Victoria Station:- American Airlines. British Airways combining Air Zimbabwe, BA Express, GB Airways, Maersk Air, Royal Nepal Airlines and TAT.

Location: London Stansted Airport is just over 30 miles to the North East of London, at junction 8 on the M11, less than 20 minutes from the M25.

How to get from Stansted to London:

Rail

The airport railway station is situated within the terminal building.

The Stansted ExpressRuns every 30 minutes and has a journey time of 41 minutes to the city of London (Liverpool Street station). This unique service also stops after 30 minutes at Tottenham Hale which links with London’s Underground for the West End. The first train departs from London Liverpool Street at 0500 hours Monday - Saturday and 0700 hours on Sundays and the last train departs at 2300 hours. From London Stansted the first service begins at 0600 hours Monday - Saturday and 0800 hours on Sundays and the final train departs at 2359. Several Skytrains call at Bishop’s Stortford which connects London Stansted to Cambridge for links to the North, Midlands and North West.

A New CentralTrains northern service will begin operation from London Stansted Airport on 24 May 1998. This service will connect the airport with Audley End, Cambridge, Ely, Peterborough, Leicester and Birmingham. The service will be in operation 7 days a week with the first train departing London Stansted at 0619 hours Monday to Saturday and 0915 hours on Sundays. The last train to Cambridge will depart from London Stansted at 2115 hours Monday to Saturday and 2240 hours on Sundays. A new stopping service to London will also commence on 24 May 1998 and will call at all principal stations between Stansted and London including Bishops Stortford, Harlow Town, Broxboune and Cheshunt. Telephone 0345 484950 for rail enquires and 0345 056 027 for mobility assistance The airport railway station is situated within the terminal building.

Buses and coaches

The Coach Station is located in front of the terminal forecourt. Tickets can be purchased from the coach ticket desk in the arrivals area in the terminal.

Stansted is within easy reach of central London. It is situated 38 miles to the north east of London with direct access from junction 8 of the M11 motorway, is less than 20 minutes away from junction 27 of the M25 Motorway. It is also convenient for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire via the A505 and A414, accessible to the whole of East Anglia via A11, A12 and A120. London Stansted is linked directly to the North and Midlands by the A1 and A14 which joins the M11 at junction 14.

Extensive long and short stay car parks are available and no pre-booking is necessary.